What is National Exit Test Dental (NExT) ?

Last updated on September 19th, 2023 at 10:23 pm

The National Exit Test Dental or NExT exam for BDS is an exit cum licencing exam for all dental students in India.It was introduced in the New National Dental Commission Bill.

This single exam will replace all existing dental entrance exams like NEET-MDS and INICET and Final year BDS exam.

The National Dental Commission Bill was introduced in the Parliament of India on 24th July 2023.

Key Features of Next Exam for Dental Students

1. Dissolution of the Dental Council of India: This governing body for Dental education and Dental Practice no longer exists.

2. A New Body called National Dental Commission will now formulate policies for Dental education and Dental Professionals.

It follows guidelines almost similar to the National Medical Commission which is the regulatory body for MBBS graduates.

3. The Commission will include a Chairperson, 8 ex-officio members and 24 part time members.

4. The ex-officio members will be from National Medical Commission, the Health Ministry and AIIMS.

5. The part time members will comprise individuals appointed on a rotational basis from State and Union Territory nominees for 2 years.

6. Establishment of a Dental Advisory Council to express views to the Commission.

7. Transparency will be the key aspect of the Bill.

8. The Commission will regulate the fees for private dental colleges.

9. Each State will establish a State Dental Council.

3 Boards of the National Dental Commission

1. Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board

To formulate guidelines for dental colleges.

2. Dental Assessment and Rating Board

To assess and rate dental colleges, publish assessment reports and ratings and recognise Or Derecognise Dental College Degrees.

3. Ethics and Dental Registration Board

To regulate ethics in Dental Practice and ensure professional conduct.

Exit exam for BDS students

The evaluation will be an unbiased structured clinical case-based assessment aimed at appraising the proficient skills, clinical decision-making, and effective communication abilities expected of dental students.

Although The National Dental Commission will subsequently lay down the clear guidelines of this test but the tentative key features are :

1.Licence to practice

Each and every dental student will only be able to practice dentistry in India only after clearing the National Exit Test.

Also a screening test for foreign dental graduates to practice dentistry in India.

2. To get Dental Registration

To enroll in the National or State Registration each dentist needs to pass this exam.

3.MDS Entrance Exam

Admission to Post Graduate Courses (MDS) in all government and private dental colleges will be given based on the rank generated by the score of this exam.

It will replace all existing dental entrance exams like NEET-MDS and INICET.

4. Exit exam pattern for BDS

It will totally different from the previous traditional exams as it will comprise of two steps.

Step 1

• Held Twice a year after completion of Final year BDS
• Theory exam
• Multiple Choice Based (MCQ)
• Online Mode
• Centralized Exam
• Syllabus will be of Final year BDS
• Improvement of scores can be reattempted with a gap of one year after Step 2,
• Will replace the Conventional University Theory Exam
• Minimum marks to pass will be 50%

Step 2

• Held once a year
• Supplementary exam will be held for those who donot pass
• Practical /Clinical exam
• Will include Viva voce
• Exam held live by the Dental Colleges based on guidelines provided by National Dental Commission
• Will include only two results- Competent or Incompetent (no marks )
• No restrictions on number of attempts till 10 years.

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FAQs of Next Exam after BDS

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